La Salle’s Mike Phillips. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA — Mike Phillips was a force to be reckoned with in De La Salle University's win over the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday.

The 6-foot-8 senior posted 12 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, and a block in the Green Archers' 88-67 victory over the Growling Tigers, and Phillips' energy was also a driving force in DLSU out-rebounding UST, 56-29. 

This win put La Salle at 5-1 in the team standings, but for the Filipino-American Taft tower, this victory was more than a step closer to their journey of clinching their second-straight UAAP men's basketball crown. 

READ: Mike Phillips’ double-double powers La Salle past UST

"I just want to dedicate this game to Doleo Susalta," an emotional Phillips said right before the post-game presser ended at the Big Dome. "He was someone who took care of us, he was a part of the La Sallian community, and he just recently passed two nights ago," he shared. 

"Last night, I was in a dark place, and I saw the most beautiful sunset after training — I knew that was him."

"I was playing for him tonight. He means a lot to me, and he really taught me a lot. He taught me Ilonggo, so if you're listening to this: 'I love you, I hope to see you soon, and I'll take care of your family'," he added.

Mike shared that Susalta was the security guard of their dormitory, and that he was one of the people whom he shared a lot with when he went home to the Philippines to play for DLSU. 

"We have a dorm, a compound. His job was to be a guard there, but he always did so much, and a lot of times, he did a lot of night duty. He would just do the extra effort for us to make sure we're taken care of, more than just keeping us safe. He would always check in on us, and I would talk to him for hours at night, and he would teach me Ilonggo, and we would sing Dandansoy and everything. He just recently passed out of nowhere. He was healthy," he said in a separate interview. 

"He was one of my closest friends. I met him here, ever since I first came here in the summer. Yeah, he's one of my closest people."

Aside from these, Phillips shared that he also went to Susalta during some of his most vulnerable moments.

La Salle’s Mike Phillips. Photo from UAAP Media.

"When I was really in dark places before, I don't know why, but God just kind of brought us together, and he was always open. The thing about it, he has to stay awake the whole night and constantly check and make sure everybody's safe. He would never turn a blind eye to me, or he would never turn his back to me."

"He would always listen to anything I had, and I learned so much from him about what it means to be a Christian here. He really taught me a lot, and he was so open. He introduced me to his family, his wife, his two kids, and they just recently started college at UP. He's just someone that meant a lot to me."

La Salle head coach Topex Robinson also shared what Susalta meant to their team. 

"Mike is the most senior one in the dorm. Wala siyang ibang pamilya dito eh, so holidays, the security guards are always there, so siya yung nakakasama nila Mike. Tuwing Christmas, New Year, or days off, siya yung nakakasama nila Mike kasi his family is in the US," he said. 

"Mike is a guy, the Phillips brothers are guys who are attached to our guards, our cooks, our maintenance people, they really have relationships, so he is one of us. Leo is one of us, and we are one with his family, especially at this time. Lahat kami close sa kanila kasi nga we spend so much time together and their families. It's really a tight-knit relationship."

For Robinson, situations like this also display La Salle's bond on and off the court, and how the team is a safe space for everyone who is a part of it. 

"Sa amin kasi, among the things that are so important to us is that you could be vulnerable. If you're struggling, you don't have to pretend that you're not. This is the family that we have, and in this space, we could just be ourselves," he said. 

"I can tell them if I'm struggling and I need help, and the same goes for everybody. If wala silang mapupuntahan sa team during those low times, saan sila pupunta? We're all humans, and that's the human side of basketball which we put so much value on."

"There are also times when you just want to give them that space. You don't have to really do anything, but sa dami na ng oras naming magkakasama, I know who's struggling. I've always been like this to Mike, and when he needs space, I give him that space. I don't have to talk to him or ask him anong problema. I know him because I see him every day, so pag meron silang ganun, not unless they talk to me about it, I don't get in. That's one thing that we really value, giving that safe space," he added.

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